One of goals in coming here was to downsize our stuff, and live with less.  We traveled to Spain with a large suitcase and a small suitcase for each member of the family, plus 3 boxes of miscellaneous items (Ryan’s work computer, books, kitchen items, etc.) and one trunk for the kids’ treasures.  When we were in the process of getting rid of our junk, it was so hard for me!  I found I had strong emotional ties to too many things, so while a part of me was excited to be freed from the “stuff madness”, a part of me felt like I was ripping off a band-aid, quite painfully.  I read several articles on the subject, and every writer promised that once the stuff is out of sight, you will get over that feeling, and feel glad that you’re living with a lighter load.

And they were right!  Since we arrived almost three and a half months ago, I have only missed a couple of things, and most of them I didn’t even think about more than once.  For example, I was thinking of my kitchen scale one day (although I don’t even remember now why I thought I could use it).  We have purchased a few things for the kitchen here, because it was not fully equipped, but we did not replace the many gadgets we had in the States.  I love the simplicity of having just 2 large pots for pasta and soups, 2 smaller pots for rice and sauces, and 2 frying pans.  So much easier to store and use!  And we have been finding new (old) ways to do things, like toasting bread in the oven. We have been using a stick blender with a food processing attachment to replace a large food processor, regular blender (margaritas now just get mixed without ice and frozen for later), and mixer (although recently having baked a cake – I might need to buy a hand mixer).

One appliance we didn’t have in the states is a juicer.  I bought an electric juicer here because it’s lovely to have fresh squeezed orange juice from local oranges every now and then.  And we finally “caved” and had my mother-in-law bring us a proper set of measuring spoons – I have gotten pretty good at using my hand, but when it comes to cakes, it can be pretty sad if you guesstimate use too much salt!

The only other thing I have found myself missing on a regular basis is our trampoline.  It was such a important part of our days – excellent for fun, and also for anger management – that I have pondered buying a new one here.  Since the weather here is so fantastic, the pool is our new trampoline, and if the kids need some motion, they just go jump in!  For now, that is working for us.  I am really trying hard to resist re-gathering all of the things we had in the States, inside and outside the house, but I know it will be a continual battle not to accumulate things.

On the whole, I am finding that living with less really is living with more – more creativity, more time spent doing things other than cleaning up stuff, and more time enjoying memorable activities together, and that’s what really matters.